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The Impact of Robotics in Head and Neck Reconstruction

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Restoration, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation in Head and Neck Cancer

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Abstract

Over the past 3 decades, the robotic platform has emerged as a groundbreaking technology that has revolutionized the practice of minimally invasive surgeons. Owing to greater degrees of freedom, improved resolution, and tremor elimination, it allowed complex procedures to be performed with more confidence. These attributes of the robot, along with its precision and HD three-dimensional optics, make it an attractive platform for reconstructive plastic surgeons. Reconstructive surgery has always required superior levels of technical precision and meticulous attention to detail to achieve durable outcomes. The robotic system allows certain reconstructive challenges that were previously technically unfeasible.

Over the past 10-15 years, the senior author (J C Selber) has established 3 solid applications of robotics in reconstructive surgery: (1) Trans-oral Robotic Reconstructive Surgery (TORRS) for complex head and neck reconstruction without dividing the lip or mandible; (2) robotic microvascular, microneural, and microlymphatic anastomoses, with “supra-human” levels of precision; and (3) minimal access harvest of both the Latissimus Dorsi and Rectus Abdominis muscles, minimizing donor-site morbidity and enhancing cosmetic outcomes.

In this chapter, the current clinical applications of the robotic technology in reconstructive surgery are outlined.

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  1. Department of Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

    Vijay V. Haribhakti

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Haribhakti, V.V. (2019). The Impact of Robotics in Head and Neck Reconstruction. In: Restoration, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation in Head and Neck Cancer. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2736-0_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2736-0_17

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